Self drive: 100% lavender FIELDS OF PROVENCE

Self drive: 100% lavender FIELDS OF PROVENCE

570 €

Make sure to start your trip a SATURDAY !

A real Provence experience, lost among a sea of purple: the perfect base from which to explore the rolling countryside. This holiday gives you the liberty of choosing among several walking options, according to the markets of Provence.

* Rental car is not included : let us know if you want us to arrange it for you

LAVENDER IN BLOOM

Lavender fields in this region are blooming between early June to mid July : they are then harvested around the 15th-20th of July (dates can vary each year). Except around Sault: the harvest is made after the "lavender festival" in August 15th.

THE LAVENDER FESTIVAL :* 3rd Sunday of July in Valensole - 1h45mn ride from Montbrun* August 15th in Sault - Just next to Montbrun

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Strolling through the lavender fields

Walks off the beaten-track, far from tourists

The perched villages of Luberon : Gordes, Roussillon, Lacoste

The famous Senanque abbaye

A range of easy walking possibilities

Authentic Provence countryside and guaranteed peace and quiet

Choose your walk every morning according to the local markets around !

Day 1

Arrival in Provence

ACCESS: the car rental is not included. Let us know if you would like us to arrange it for you

ACCESS: regular trains & flight from Paris, Nice, Marseille

A drive through the countryside takes you behind the Mont Ventoux to the lost villages of the LAVENDER region of Provence. You settle in your first accommodation for a 3-night stay. Dinner is included on your first night, and on day 4 in Forcalquier.

Day 2 > 5 - WALKS : you have a choice of 5 different easy walks, all over-meticulously detailed in our famed Roadbook. You will find our selection of the regional markets which are closed from your accommodations: you will then have the freedom and the pleasure to choose your day walk according to them, just like locals !

SIMPLE accommodation: 3 nights in Ferrassieres (a small hamlet 8km from Montbrun) and 3 nights in Mane, just next to Forcalquier

Walk 1

Distance :

7,5 km

Elevation :

+ 170m
- 170m

A stroll through the Lavander fields

Loop walk from Aurel (2h40 - 4.3 miles)

Your walk starts in Aurel. You can have a short option walk to Sault during this walk. Sault is praised all over the world for its cultivation of lavender, and very famous for its lavender festival on August 15th. It’s an old fortified village perched along the top of a high ridge overlooking a wide valley, with large lavender fields spread out below to the south and west. This easy, themed walk meanders through farmers' fields, among an endless sea of lavender, complete with explanatory signs about planting, harvesting, and distilling the precious purple flower.Take the time to discover the village of Sault : its charming central square overlooking the vast plantations. Don't miss the irresistible nougat shop, where the Boyer family has been making this delicious honey and almond treat for four generations. Dinner on your own tonight.

Market on Wednesday morning in Sault

Walk 2

Distance :

7 km

Elevation :

+ 150m
- 150m

The quaint village of Ferrassières

Loop walk from Ferrassières (2h15 - 3.7 miles)

Set a bit higher in altitude, the sleepy village of Ferrassières is the capital of fine lavender - Lavandula angustifolia - one of over a hundred varieties of lavender, but by far the one that's most prized: not only for its delicate smell, but also for its many medicinal virtues. This easy walk will take you through a mix of forest and cultivated lavender fields, and this is about as far off the beaten tourist path as you can get, with some wonderful views of Mont Ventoux to the west. After your walk we recommend a visit to the village of Montbrun les Bains, listed among the most beautiful villages in France. Dinner on your own and third night in Sault.

Market on Wednesday morning in Sault

Market on Saturday morning in Montbrun les Bains

Walk 3

Distance :

7 km

Elevation :

+ 150m
- 150m

Lagarde d'Apt & the perched villages of the Luberon

On this transition day towards Forcalquier, you enter the Luberon mountains, sprinkled with stunning hilltop villages, many worth visiting - your bags being transferred meanwhile. Just to name a few: Gordes perched vertiginously over the Calavon valley, Roussillon and its home painted in a veritable palette of colours, and Lacoste crowned by the ruins of the Marquis de Sade's castle. There are two walking options available.

The first walk option begins high atop the plateaus, in the tiny hamlet of Lagarde d'Apt, through a rolling countryside carpeted with fine lavender fields, with views extending to the Alps.

The second walk option begins in the stunning village of Gordes, through a garrigue vegetation of aromatic herbs and brush, to the much-postcarded 12th century Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by its lavender field.

Your final destination is Forcalquier, a pretty town well off the tourist-radar, where you settle for 3 nights. Dinner included tonight.

SIMPLE & PRESTIGE accommodation : 3 nights in Mane, just next to Forcalquier

COMFORT & CHARMING accommodation : 3 nights in Forcalquier

Great Market on Tuesday (local producers) & Saturday in Apt

Market on Thursday morning in Roussillon

Walk 4

Distance :

8 km

Elevation :

+ 200m
- 200m

Saint Michel l'Observatoire & goat cheese

Loop walk from Saint Michel l'Observatoire (2h45 - 5 miles)

Just west of Forcalquier is the sleepy village of Saint Michel l'Observatoire. The "observatoire" in question was built in the 1920s, a few kilometers from the village, taking advantage of some of the clearest skies in the country. The walk enters the heart of the garrigue vegetation, with stunning views of the Alps. You reach a goat farm, lost in the brush, a small family-run outfit awarded for their Banon cheeses, carefully wrapped in a chestnut leaf, creamy and bursting with flavour. An inviting picnic table makes for the perfect lunch stop before finishing your loop. Dinner on your own.

Great & famous market on Monday morning in Forcalquier

Market on Sunday morning in St Michel L'Observatoire

Walk 5

Distance :

11 km

Elevation :

+ 100m
- 100m

Valensole : a sea of lavander

Loop walk from Valensole (3h20 - 6.8 miles)

It's THE big lavender day. Forget the small plots of lavender sprinkled in the countryside where most of the tourists go : today you'll be swimming in a veritable sea of lavender, on the Valensole plateau. It's a common misconception that lavender is prevalent in all of Provence. In reality lavender is not a Mediterranean plant, does not grow in the Provence that most tourists venture to. Lavender grows up on the plateaus, in altitude, nestled between Provence and the Alps. you'll be in the very heart of it. Nothing but purple into the horizon, the intense Provençal sun concentrating the heavy lavender perfumes in the air. you'll frolic through the fields, taking all the time you need, meandering along the tracks between the lavender fields. You can visit a family-run lavender distillery along the way, in the heart of the fields, and learn everything about the plant and its origins, its uses, its medicinal properties. Dinner is on your own.

BB Chateau Gabelle - Ferrassieres

Located in the "Lavender region", between the Lure and the Luberon mountains, the "Chateau de la Gabelle" is an old fortified farmhouse from the t13th century at the foot of Mont Ventoux.

Surrounded by centuries lime trees, the castle is located in the heart of the farm, amidst meadows, lavender and "petit épeautre" fields. You will be greatly welcomed by Margherite and her family, and enjoy the quietness of its guest rooms - of simple comfort - along with the provençal "table d'hote" dinner, made of local fresh products (part of them from the organic farm)

BB Marguerite - Montbrun

Located 2 km from Montbrun-les-Bains village, surrounded by lavender fields, Maison de Marguerite is renovated 18th century goat farm. Michelle & Etienne welcome you in their comfortable guest house, that offers a swimming pool with a large garden and a terrace.

The continental breakfast includes homemade products and fresh fruit juices.

BB Beatrice Cols - Forcalquier

Located in the heart of Forcalquier, Béatrice welcomes you in this 18th century mansion house, with 3 charming rooms. Breakfast is served in the indoor garden, next to the fountain

BB Defends de Redon - Montbrun

Located a few steps away from the village of Montbrun-les-Bains, Le Deffends de Redon is a charming BB, that offers an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace and a large garden with great views of Mont Ventoux, surrounded by lavender fields, perched on the edge of the forest.

You will enjoy the tranquillity of this charming guest house, decorated with antique furnitures.

Hotel Charembeau - Forcalquier

Just outside of the town of Forcalquier, the family-run Charembeau is comfortably installed inside the imposing walls of an 18th century farmhouse.

Sandra, André Berger and their son Martin welcome you in this discreet charming eco-friendly hotel surrounded by 7 hectares of hills and meadows, with a swimming pool and tennis court.